Accidents happen, but when it comes to your dog eliminating in the house, not all accidents are created equal. Some dogs were never properly housebroken, or have been through some sort of traumatic event. In these cases, accidents are easily explainable. However, in most cases, if a dog who was properly housebroken begins urinating or defecating in your home, it may indicate a health problem.

If a dog is urinating in the home, it may be caused by many things including bladder infections, bladder stones, kidney problems, canine diabetes, or Cushing's disease. If a dog is inappropriately defecating in the home, it should be noted if the stool is normal or diarrhea in nature. Especially if the stool is abnormal concerns would include gastroenteritis, inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal parasites or even pancreatic problems, according to PetPlace.com.

Singular incidents of defecation can sometimes be blamed on not getting a dog outside soon enough or related to digestive upset from something new or unusual that it ate. If it is something more serious, like gastroenteritis, the animal may experience multiple or intermittent episodes of vomiting and diarrhea, according to VCA Animal Hospitals. In this case, it is best to consult with your veterinarian to determine what is going on with your canine and how to treat it.

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